The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787/Volume 3/Appendix A/XLVI

by Max Farrand

XLVI. Nathan Dane to Rufus King^[1]

[New York], June 19th.

I fully agree to the propriety of the Convention order restraining its members from communicating its doings, tho’ I feel a strong desire and curiosity to know how it proceeds. I think the public never ought to see anything but the final report of the Convention—the digested result only, of their deliberations and enquiries.

Whether the plans of the Southern, Eastern or Middle States succeed, never, in my opinion, ought to be known. A few reflections on the subject lead me to doubt whether one of your members, Mr. P.,^[2] who two or three days since came to this city, fully understood the true meaning, full and just extent of the order not to communicate &c.

1. C.R. King, Life and Correspondence of Rufus King, I, 225.
2. Probably William Pierce of Georgia, see Appendix B.